Religion 203
Dr. Vande Kappelle
E-mail: rvandekappel@washjeff.edu
W & J College
Office: Old Main, Room C
Phone: 724/223-6186 (office)
ACQUIRING WISDOM: A STUDY OF BIBLICAL WISDOM LITERATURE
Through their inspirational teachings, the sages of the biblical wisdom tradition offer
time-honored advice about some of life’s most difficult questions, including the problem
of the suffering of the innocent, the nature of evil, and how to deal with the uncertainties
of life. They also address such themes as friendship, virtue and vice, marriage and the
choice of a spouse, decision making, life priorities, child rearing, illness, and death. The
insights offered in the biblical tradition and the efforts of the biblical sages to integrate
faith and reason as well as revelation and human wisdom rival those of the renowned
philosophical schools of ancient Greece.
Our survey of biblical wisdom literature will include an examination of Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, Job, Song of Solomon, Daniel, and selections from the Gospels as well as
from the book of Psalms. In addition, we will study two extraordinary wisdom writings
that are included as scripture by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, namely the
book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus) and the Wisdom of Solomon, the latter
written only a couple of decades before the birth of Jesus Christ.
The course examines the well-known story of Job, in which a righteous man struggles to
understand why he suffers loss, illness, and despair. This account is used to probe one of
the most compelling themes of the biblical wisdom tradition: What is the cause of
suffering? Should we interpret suffering as a punishment for wrongdoing (as implied in
Genesis 3 and in the Christian doctrine of “original sin”)? Or is suffering sometimes a
test, designed to shape our character? The suffering and death of Jesus suggests yet
another possible understanding of the problem of evil, of suffering, and of death.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Biblical Wisdom Literature and its
message in the original setting;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the varied approach to wisdom utilized by
Israel’s sages;
3. Utilize a variety of modern interpretive approaches to this literature;
4. Explain how the wisdom material relates to the rest of the Bible;
5. Understand, appreciate, and carry out acceptable and effective biblical
exegesis (reading “out of the text” its intended meaning instead of imposing
on the text one’s own biases and presuppositions);
6. Apply the teachings of the Biblical Wisdom Literature practically to
contemporary issues and concerns as well as to their daily lives
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TEXTS
Richard J. Clifford, The Wisdom Literature (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press), 1998;
[ISBN 9780687008469]
A Study Bible with the Apocrypha. The bookstore has ordered copies of The New
Interpreter’s Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press), 2003 [ISBN 9780687022959]
Another valuable resource is The Catholic Study Bible, Second Edition [The New
American Bible version], edited by Donald Senior and John J. Collins (New York:
Oxford University Press, 2006) [ISBN 9780195282795]
Students will read one of the following books, give a brief presentation, and participate in
a class symposium (see below for additional information).
Robert Gordis, The Book of God and Man;
John Paul II, On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering (Boston: Pauline Books),
2005 (available online)
Harold S. Kushner, When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough;
––––When Bad Things Happen to Good People;
Madeleine L’Engle, The Irrational Season
C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
——The Problem of Pain;
Philip Yancey, Disappointment with God;
——Where is God When it Hurts?
REQUIREMENTS
1. Student Presentation on Secondary Readings –
Students will read an assigned book, give a 15-minute overview, and participate in one of
the two symposia days as noted in the “class schedule” below.
The presentation is expected to last approximately 15 minutes (make sure you allow time
for discussion of the topic) and should address the following items:
(a) A brief summary or overview of the book, including its major theme(s);
(b) its contribution to the topic of human suffering and/or to biblical wisdom;
(c) and its place and overall contribution to Jewish/Christian theology and morality
(that is, its relevance and place in faith and practice) and a concluding statement
concerning what you felt were the most significant insights you gained from
reading the text and why.
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2. Participation – Each student is expected to attend class regularly and participate in
class discussions. Participation includes attendance, evidence of preparation when called
upon for a response or comment, and level of insightfulness when contributing to class
discussion. Bring the Study Bible plus the assigned text to class daily.
3. Final Paper – In lieu of a final exam, student will write a formal 8-10 page paper,
consisting of a critical study of a topic or biblical passage related to the course material.
Topic selection is due by November 18 and must be approved by the professor.
At least three references should be consulted and noted in the bibliography; an opening
“thesis statement” and a conclusion are required. Bibliographic references and other
citations may be included within the body of the paper. The paper will be based on
content, originality of research, logical reasoning, and grammatical correctness.
The paper is due in class on the final day of class (December 4).
GRADING
1.
2.
3.
4.
individual and group presentation
participation and homework
quizzes
final paper
25%
25%
25%
25%
A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION: In the “Class Schedule” below, you will notice that the
topics and books we will cover in class often include the following technical phrases:
contextual analysis, textual analysis, and thematic analysis. The following explanations
clarify what these mean:
 Contextual Analysis – these classes will provide background and/or introductory
information on a particular book or unit, including but not limited to author,
audience, cultural, historical, and theological context;
 Literary (Structural and Textual) Analysis – these classes will examine the
structure (outline) of the book and supply exegetical commentary, including but
not limited to literary observations, theological insights, textual problems, flow of
the argument, and connections between the section and the rest of the book or
unit;
 Thematic Analysis – an analysis of key themes from the book or unit will
provide the class with an understanding of the ancient and contemporary
relevance of those themes and their importance to the book, the author, and the
original audience.
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CLASS SCHEDULE: Topics and Presenters (T, H Schedule)
The assignment for each day includes reading the related material from the Clifford text
and the assigned section from the Bible. Additional assignments are listed below.
Sept. 2 1. Introduction to the Course and to Biblical Wisdom Literature
4 2. Book of Proverbs: Introduction
Read Clifford, chapters 1 and 2; (worksheet, questions 1, 2, 5)
9 3. Book of Proverbs: Contextual, Literary and Thematic Analysis
Read Clifford, chapter 3; (worksheet, question 4)
11 4. Book of Proverbs: The Personification of Wisdom (Lady Wisdom/Folly)
Questions on Proverbs due today (worksheet, question 3, parts A and B)
16 5. Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Contextual Analysis, Pt. I

Quiz # 1
18 6. Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Contextual Analysis, Pt. II
Questions on Ecclesiastes due today (worksheet)
23 7. Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Textual Analysis, Pt. I
25 8. Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Textual Analysis, Pt. II
30 9. Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Thematic Analysis, Pt. I
Oct. 2 10. Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Thematic Analysis, Pt. II
Presentation on Harold S. Kushner, When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough
7 11. Book of Job: Contextual Analysis

Quiz # 2
Contextual Questions from Book of Job worksheet due today
9 13. Book of Job: Literary Analysis (Overview) and Thematic Analysis
Textual Questions from Book of Job worksheet due today
14 14. Book of Job: Textual Analysis: Part I
16 15. Book of Job: Textual Analysis: Part II
21 16. FALL BREAK
23 17. Symposium on the Meaning of Suffering and Pain, Pt. I
Presentations due today
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28 18. Symposium on the Meaning of Suffering and Pain, Pt. II
Presentations due today
30 19. Song of Solomon (Song of Songs)

Quiz # 3
Nov. 4 20. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus): Contextual Analysis
6 21. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus): Literary and Thematic Analysis
Select a topic from the Ben Sira handout and write a one to two-page
response, summarizing Ben Sira’s views and your reactions; due today.
11 22. Book of Daniel
13 23. Wisdom Psalms

Quiz # 4
Read Psalm 1, 8, 13, 49, 73:1-3, 119 (skim); 139
18 24. Wisdom of Solomon: Contextual and Textual Analysis
Topic for Final Paper due today
20 25. Wisdom of Solomon: Textual and Thematic Analysis
25 26. Jesus as Sage/Divine Wisdom: Contextual and Textual Analysis
Read John 1:1-18; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:15-20; Eph. 2:14-16; I Tim. 3:16;
Heb. 1:1-18; I Peter 1:20; 3:18, 22
27 27. THANKSGIVING
Dec. 2 28. Jesus as Sage/Divine Wisdom: Textual Analysis, Pt. I
Read Gospel of Matthew
4 29. Jesus as Sage/Divine Wisdom: Textual Analysis, Pt. II
Final Paper due today